Training the Heavens

Chapter 254 Returning Hometown
Xuhui Public School is a church school. Logically, students do not celebrate the Spring Festival. However, in addition to being a student, Zhang Xingjiu is also a Chinese teacher at the public school, and those teachers have to celebrate the holidays. Considering that Zhang Xingjiu's academic progress is very fast, Jiang Yixu also gave him a holiday.

Before leaving, Jiang Yixu called Zhang Xingjiu into his office and gave him a New Year bonus. Even if it was a church school, this was inevitable, otherwise why would those scholars and educated people come to study here.

"Based on your current academic progress, you might be able to study abroad in France in two or three years. This timing is perfect. French university students also enter university at the age of eighteen."

"I have discussed your situation with His Eminence the Bishop many times, and he is very interested in you. He has already introduced you to French scholars he knows in a letter. Through them, you can study in France. Of course, the prerequisite is that you can pass the entrance examination. With your academic ability, this will definitely not be a problem."

"Perhaps, from now on, you can learn about the situation of the University of France in advance. If you have a clear goal, His Eminence and I can find suitable scholars to recommend to you."

Zhang Xingjiu felt a little regretful. In today's era, British schools are still better. He would rather study in schools like Oxford and Cambridge. However, Xuhui Public School was founded by the French Jesuit Nangro, and most of its subsequent directors were also from France. They would definitely recommend Zhang Xingjiu to study in a French university.

There really aren't many choices now. France is France. France also has a group of outstanding scholars such as Becquerel, the Curies, and Lippmann. Zhang Xingjiu has not been wronged in the past.

"The student has made up his mind. École Polytechnique, Paris Sciences et Lettres or Sorbonne University are all fine. The student wants to study physics, and the physics majors in these schools seem to be stronger." Zhang Xingjiu expressed his intention.

Having already won the Fields Medal, Zhang Xingjiu decided to win a few Nobel Prizes, so he chose physics as his major field of study.

Becquerel taught at the École Polytechnique, the Curies at the Paris Sciences et Lettres, and Lippmann at the Sorbonne. These people were all future Nobel Prize winners in physics, and studying with them would also allow you to claim a high position.

"These are very famous universities in France. Even in France, it is not easy to get into these schools, so you have to work harder." Jiang Yixu kept these schools in mind and planned to discuss with the bishop the next time he saw him to see which school would be more suitable for sending Zhang Xingjiu to.

"When students go home, they will not neglect their studies and will try to go to France to study as soon as possible." After chatting for a few more words, Zhang Xingjiu stood up and said goodbye.

I went back to the dormitory to pack my luggage, took the Shanghai specialties I had prepared in advance, went out and called a rickshaw to the pier, took a boat back to Hangzhou, and then changed boats from Hangzhou back to Shaoxing.

When he arrived at his own shop, he saw that Zhang Fuqing had changed a lot. His skin, which was originally dark due to sun exposure, had become whiter, and his speech and behavior were not as restrained as before. Zhang Xingjiu couldn't help but sigh that the change in identity and status had indeed had a great impact.

Zhang Fuqing was very happy to see his child come back. He quickly asked the waiter to order a table at the restaurant next door. He was not a scholar and did not follow the rules of not talking while eating or sleeping. At the dinner table, he asked Zhang Xingjiu about his study abroad experience with concern.

Zhang Xingjiu said that he felt he had gained a lot from studying at a college in Shanghai. Perhaps in a few years he would be able to take part in the provincial examination and see if he could pass the exam and become a juren.

He also gave Zhang Fuqing a heads-up, saying that the Zhejiang provincial examinations were always difficult, and with his academic knowledge, it would be difficult for him to pass the jinshi exam within a few years. However, he had heard in Shanghai that the court was increasingly valuing Western learning, and that several high-ranking officials had petitioned the court to send students abroad to study. It was said that upon their return, these students would be given important positions and even be granted jinshi status. If such an opportunity arose in the future, he might want to give it a try.

Zhang Fuqing didn't understand the ins and outs of this, so he just let Zhang Xingjiu make the decision himself, which just fulfilled Zhang Xingjiu's wish.

After waking up, Zhang Xingjiu visited Shou Jingwu and his son with gifts. He also saw classmates such as A Zhang and Wu Shushen in Sanwei Bookstore, and made an appointment with them to go to a restaurant for dinner and reminisce after school the next day.

After hearing Zhang Xingjiu talk about the situation in Shanghai, Shou Jingwu and his son were both indignant. The great China actually allowed foreigners to occupy so many concessions. However, the father and son disagreed again on how to solve this problem. Shou Pengfei still wanted to take the imperial examination, but Shou Jingwu firmly refused.

In the afternoon, Zhang Xingjiu went to A Zhang's house again. In addition to the usual gifts, he also brought some medicines for treating liver disease for Zhou Fengyi. Unfortunately, these medicines were probably useless. Zhou Fengyi was depressed all day and was accustomed to alcoholism. If these two problems were not corrected, even if he took modern medicines from the portable space, they would be useless.

After talking for a while, seeing that he looked tired, he said goodbye and went to Baicao Garden with A Zhang to catch birds. While playing, there was always a bit of gloom in A Zhang's eyes. It seemed that the family changes had indeed had a great impact on him.

Afterwards, he visited acquaintances such as Xu Xilin and Wang Ziyu, and talked with Xu Xilin about his experiences in Shanghai. After listening, Xu Xilin also revealed a desire to study abroad, but his family had always asked him to take part in the provincial examination, and he was afraid that he would not be able to go out in the next few years.

When chatting with Wang Ziyu, all he could express was gratitude. Zhang Xingjiu has been basically in Shanghai for the past six months, and most of the family matters were taken care of by Wang Ziyu, which allowed Zhang Fuqing to focus on running the business.

Considering that Wang Ziyu was very interested in the printing industry, Zhang Xingjiu brought him some information from Shanghai, and Wang Ziyu was indeed very happy after receiving it.

At the end of December, Zhang Fuqing closed the shop and returned to Dupu Village with his family to celebrate the New Year. In the past, he would go to Zhou's house to work hard every New Year and had little time to rest. Now that his family is well-off, it is natural for him to go home and take care of everything.

In the first two days, Zhang Xingjiu was still somewhat curious about the New Year, but after eating and drinking a few times, he found it boring and closed the door to study seriously. Relatives did not dare to disturb him when they came, so he had some peace and quiet.

After the Lantern Festival, Zhang Xingjiu packed his luggage, took some savings from the store, and boarded the passenger ship to Shanghai again.

After returning to Xuhui Public School, he continued to teach and study at the same time. Seeing that he did not slack off, Jiang Yixu was very pleased and called Zhang Xingjiu over to praise him.

Taking advantage of Jiang Yixu's happiness, Zhang Xingjiu quickly made a request, "I have a small matter that I would like to ask you for help with."

(End of this chapter)